ab shahr mein kahan rahe wo ba-waqar log

ab shahr meñ kahāñ rahe vo bā-vaqār log

mil kar ḳhud apne-āp se haiñ sharmsār log

hāthoñ meñ vaqt ke to koī sañg bhī na thā

kyuuñ TuuT kar bikhar ga.e ā.īna-vār log

apne dukhoñ pe tanz koī khel to na thā

zaḳhmoñ ko phuul kah ga.e ham vaz.a-dār log

baiThe haiñ rañg rañg ujāle tarāshne

rakh kar lahū kī sham.a sar-e-rahguzār log

kuchh sādgī-e-tab.a thī kuchh maslahat kā jabr

kāñToñ ko pūjte rahe bāġh-o-bahār log

āb-o-havā-e-shahr junūñ-ḳhez thī bahut

dāman nahīñ the phir bhī hue taar taar log

phūñkā hameñ to narm shagūfoñ kī os ne

jiite haiñ kaise dil meñ chhupā kar sharār log

ab shahr mein kahan rahe wo ba-waqar log

mil kar KHud apne-ap se hain sharmsar log

hathon mein waqt ke to koi sang bhi na tha

kyun TuT kar bikhar gae aaina-war log

apne dukhon pe tanz koi khel to na tha

zaKHmon ko phul kah gae hum waza-dar log

baiThe hain rang rang ujale tarashne

rakh kar lahu ki shama sar-e-rahguzar log

kuchh sadgi-e-taba thi kuchh maslahat ka jabr

kanTon ko pujte rahe bagh-o-bahaar log

aab-o-hawa-e-shahr junun-KHez thi bahut

daman nahin the phir bhi hue tar tar log

phunka hamein to narm shagufon ki os ne

jite hain kaise dil mein chhupa kar sharar log